Vale of York Hoard

The Harrogate hoard is a hoard of Viking objects discovered near the town of Harrogate in North Yorkshire, England. The hoard is the largest discovered in western Europe since an 1840 find at Cuerdale in Lancashire. [1]

The hoard was discovered in January 2007 by David and Andrew Whelan, a father and son who were using metal detectors. The Whelans reported the find to a Finds Liaison Officer of the Portable Antiquities Scheme. The family was commended for displaying "exemplary behaviour in not unpacking all the objects from the bowl, but keeping the find intact." The hoard was transferred to the British Museum, where conservators excavated each find to preserve the objects and "contextual information." [2] The discovery was announced on July 19, 2007. A British Museum spokesman was quoted as saying "The size and quality of the hoard is remarkable, making it the most important find of its type in Britain for over 150 years" and "The find is of global importance, as well as having huge significance for the history of North Yorkshire."

The hoard includes "coins, ornaments, ingots and precious metal objects all hidden in a gilt silver bowl and buried in a lead chest." [3]